Holocaust Tour to Krakow

In the heart of Europe, Krakow stands as a poignant testament to history, bearing witness to the somber events of the Holocaust. Embark on a transformative journey with our “Holocaust Tour to Krakow,” designed to provide students with a deep understanding of this pivotal chapter in human history.

Why choose Krakow?

Krakow, with its rich cultural heritage, serves as an ideal destination for a school trip focused on the Holocaust. The city’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, echoes with centuries of history, offering a backdrop that enhances the educational experience. Additionally, its famous Kazimierz Jewish Quarter provides a comprehensive perspective on the Holocaust. The proximity to Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum makes Krakow the optimal gateway for organizing a private excursion to this very special Memorial place. Historic city center of Krakow also offers a fantastic vibrant blend of culture and entertainment for students and teachers alike during free time.

Tailored experiences: crafting custom itineraries for every school group

For each school group, we tailor a customized itinerary, taking into account their specific needs, expectations, as well as any constraints arising from the limited time available for travel and flight schedules. Our commitment is to ensure a seamless and personalized experience, allowing each group to make the most of their educational journey while accommodating their unique requirements.

Sample itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Krakow & guided Old Town Walk

Upon arrival at the airport, our dedicated team will ensure a seamless private transfer to your hotel. After check-in and a short break we can start our sightseeing program with a private Old Town walk of Krakow with our professional, experienced local city guide in chosen language. Such a tour would last up to 3 hours and include all highlights of this beautiful area.

Begin at the iconic Main Market Square, the bustling heart of Krakow. Here, the rhythm of everyday life intertwines with centuries-old stories. Marvel at the grandeur of the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, a tribute to one of Poland’s greatest poets, standing proudly in the square.

Continue your exploration to the renowned Slowacki Theatre, a neo-baroque gem that has graced Krakow since the 19th century. The adjacent Cloth Hall, with its Renaissance architecture, invites you to discover a world of traditional craftsmanship and local treasures.

As you meander through the cobbled streets, you’ll encounter the soaring towers of St. Mary’s Basilica and the imposing Town Hall Tower. Learn about the rich history and symbolism embedded in these architectural masterpieces.

Pass through the medieval fortifications, taking in the sight of the Barbican and the well-preserved defensive walls. Traverse the iconic Florianska Gate, a gateway to centuries gone by, leading to the charming Florianska Street.

Wander through the hallowed halls of knowledge at Collegium Maius and Collegium Novum of the Jagiellonian University, where great minds have converged for centuries. Explore the storied Kanonicza Street, Krakow’s oldest street, echoing with tales from eras long past.

Continue your journey to the All Saints Square, where the Pope’s Window provides a poignant connection to Krakow’s spiritual heritage. Marvel at the architectural splendor of St. Peter and St. Pauls’ Church on Grodzka Street, a testament to Krakow’s religious diversity.

Culminate your Old Town Walk with the grandeur of the Wawel Royal Castle and the solemn beauty of the Cathedral. The Wawel complex, perched atop a hill, offers panoramic views of the city, providing a fitting end to a day rich in historical immersion.

Day 2: Tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

The unquestionable emblem of the Holocaust, the location where more than a million lives were tragically lost, and a top destination for international visitors in Poland – Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Renowned as the grounds of the once-largest concentration camp instituted by Nazi Germans in 1940, this site gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1970.

We can organize a private tour from Krakow to this special place for your school group with hotel pick up at chosen time, by private bus and private local licensed guide in Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in chosen language for a standard 3,5 hour sightseeing tour of both camps which includes:

Auschwitz I – the main camp (approx 2 hours of visiting)

During this part of the tour, you will step back in time, exploring the intricate details of prisoners’ lives by examining the camp’s infrastructure. As you traverse the grounds, you will come across barracks serving as storage and workshops, the camp director’s office, and the SS guardhouse. Pass through the iconic “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate, a symbol recognized worldwide as the entrance to the camp, and delve into numerous exhibitions showcasing personal belongings of the prisoners and evidence of the atrocities committed.

Witness the Death Wall in the courtyard of Block 11, a site of mass executions. Block 11, the camp jail, was the setting for the first trial of mass murder using Zyklon B. As you explore, you will encounter the gas chamber and crematorium I, preserved to a large degree in its original state.

The tour concludes at the site of the execution of the former camp commandant, Rudolf Höss, who was hanged in 1947 following a trial before the Polish Supreme National Tribunal.

Auschwitz II – Birkenau, the largest center of extermination (up to 1,5 hour of visiting)

You will pass through the world-famous railway entrance gate, the gateway for trains transporting prisoners to the camp. Explore the ramp, the destination for trains carrying people deported to Auschwitz, and witness the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria I and II.

Surrounding you will be monuments unveiled on April 16, 1967, commemorating the victims at the end of the railroad platform. You will also visit the main camp bathhouse, known as the Sauna, and the barracks—mostly primitive wooden structures with large wooden shelves for bunk beds. These places evoke the spirit of the past, narrating the tragic story of individuals caught in this location during the cruel era of the Holocaust.

Whole tour lasts approx. 7-8 hours

Day 3: Exploring Jewish Heritage (Schindler’s Factory & Kazimierz Jewish Walk)

Embark on a poignant journey through Krakow’s Jewish heritage with a dual exploration of the Schindler Factory and the historic Kazimierz district. Begin your odyssey at the Schindler Factory, an iconic site immortalized in Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List.” Here, witness the compelling history of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust. The museum within the factory walls unveils a narrative that intertwines the stories of courage, resilience, and the human spirit.

Sightseeing inside the museum of Schindler’s Factory with a private guide in chosen language lasts approx. 1.5 hours

As you transition to Kazimierz, Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, delve into a labyrinth of narrow streets steeped in centuries of history. Once a vibrant Jewish community, Kazimierz exudes an atmosphere rich in cultural diversity. Begin your journey on Szeroka Street, the former Main Market Square of the Jewish town, where historical buildings, charming tenements, and inviting restaurants transport you to another era.

As you weave through the streets, discover the house of Helena Rubinstein, an influential Jewish businesswoman whose legacy turned Kazimierz into a global sensation. Admire the monument dedicated to the Krakow Victims of the Holocaust, a somber tribute to the lives lost during World War II.

Take a moment to rest on the Jan Karski bench, featuring the figure of the legendary courier and emissary of the Polish Underground State, a witness to the harrowing events of the Holocaust. Explore the Mikveh, a Jewish ritual bathhouse, and experience the spiritual ambiance of the Remuh Synagogue, the second oldest Jewish prayer house in Krakow, surrounded by its own historical cemetery.

Step into the Old Synagogue, one of Poland’s oldest preserved synagogues and a jewel of Jewish religious architecture in Europe. Traverse the New Square, a vibrant market space now dotted with small bars serving the iconic Zapiekanki.

Marvel at the Corpus Christi Basilica, a Gothic church founded by King Casimir III the Great in 1335, standing as a testament to centuries of history. Discover the Tempel Synagogue, a hub of Jewish culture hosting concerts and gatherings, particularly during the Jewish festival.

Finally, encounter sites immortalized in Steven Spielberg’s film “Schindler’s List,” connecting the cinematic narrative with the tangible history of Krakow.

Private walking tour of Kazimierz, former Jewish District lasts up to 2 hours

Day 4: Departure

Depending on time of your flight back home, you can either have some free time in Krakow or we can organize a private transfer to the airport for your group in the morning 

You can of course Extend Your Tour Program and Add Extra Tours/Excursions/Activities or Days

On each day we can add some attractions for the evening like: Jewish Music Concert, Folklore Show with Dinner, Private Cruise on Vistula River and many many others 

On Day 3 we can extend this tour program or arrange an additional one in the afternoon. 

We can organize a guided visit in the Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow which presents the rich heritage of Jewish life in the Galicia region. 

We can organize a guided visit in the Home Army Museum in Krakow during which you can learn about the most important facts related with warfare in Poland during World War 2.

You can also add something not strictly related to the Holocaust theme. This could be for example a Nowa Huta tour during which students can learn about the era of communism in Poland which began right after World War 2 and lasted until 1989.

Another option could be a half day excursion to the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow – UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest mines in the world.  

Extend your tour program with additional day

If you have the possibility to extend your school trip to Krakow to 5 days and 4 nights, then on Day 4 we can offer another fantastic and interesting half day and full day tours for your group. Our recommendations would go to:

Zakopane – winter capital of Poland and center of highlanders’ culture, beautifully situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. During such a full day excursion we can either focus on the center of the town or go hiking on one of the pleasant mountain trails, for example to Morskie Oko Lake.

Dunajec River Rafting – great activity in the beautiful river canyon in Pieniny Mountains National Park. Definitely one of the best adventures that can be experienced in southern Poland and a fantastic day out.

Half day trips from Krakow can also be organized to other interesting places like: Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle, Ojcow National Park, Zalipie Village, Tarnow or Niepolomice Castle.

Please simply contact us to discuss your perfect itinerary and best options of accommodation for your school group.